I'm kind of a boring decorator. While I do enjoy changing up accessories and rearranging furniture, once I find a look I like, I tend to stick with it for the long haul. I agonize over fabric and wall colors, trying to create the perfect room and when I finally get a space to look just right, I find myself sitting in it and staring peacefully, enjoying it like artwork, with my cup of hot water (yes, plain hot water) in hand.
My living room is one such space. The walls are a pale, buttery yellow, the couches are white and there are gorgeous red velvet pillows that I made out of Pottery Barn placemats. I love this room so much that for the last two years, be it winter, spring, summer or fall, it has looked virtually the same. I update the mantle and add seasonal décor, but other than that, I just let it be.
However last week, I entered the room with sandy feet from the beach and I started to feel a bit stifled by all the velvet and deep crimson. Every other room in the house had been spring and "summerized" and I needed to lighten up the living room~ quick! I desperately needed a speedy fix, because frankly, it's almost August and by September I just know I'm going to be craving that velvet again.
Luckily, I ran across a great pillow cover post and my problem was solved, you must check it out here. It is so easy, fast and clear, that I guarantee this will become your go-to pillow cover method. Her awesome tutorial walked me step by step through the process and, honestly, within a half an hour, my living room had a whole new look.
This was my winterized living room. Yikes, check out the snow!
This is seasonal update! I covered those pillows with some inexpensive, punchy fabric, replaced the dark wreath with a white mirror, added a few yellow accessories and the whole room has a totally different vibe. It feels much more casual and relaxed~ definitely summer!
This room gets so much sun and from so many different angles, that it is hard to photograph at any time of day....but, while all that light may not be great for a shoot, it is amazing in real life. The room is bright, cheery, very welcoming. It is definitely worthy of a long sit and stare, only now, I'll probably swap out that hot water for an ice cold lemonade.
Care to join me?
Sign up for email and follow the fun ~
Tips, tricks, crafts and giggles delivered straight to you!
You are not boring at all! love the pops of yellow!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vel! I like those bright pops too!
DeleteYour summer pillows look great!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much~ it was such an easy project, but it did make a difference!
DeleteWell, aren't you the little magician! Maximum look with Minimum effort!
ReplyDeleteOpinionsToGo
Haha~ it's only magical if you don't look too close at my seams and stitches! :) Thanks for the sweet comment!
DeleteSo pretty! Love the patterns you chose! I love the little stars on that yellow pillow!
ReplyDeleteKaren
Karen's Soiree
Thanks, Karen! The fabrics were so inexpensive, but they are very bright and cheery!
DeleteSuch a beautiful room! I love the pillows and the walls, the beautiful crisp white sofas...so bright, clean and cheery. This would never happen in my house unfortunately, because there would be dog hair and orange Dorito fingerprints all over everything. haha But I can gaze longingly and dream, can't I? ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and trust me Linda, there are rainbow colored fingerprints here, too. Thankfully, fish and turtles don't leave furry messes behind, so I am ahead of the game there...but I love a white couch, because there isn't anything I can't bleach out of it!
DeleteYes a big glass of lemonade please. What a difference. Looks so nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks and c'mon over! Although after I recovered all that velvet the temp dropped today and we were drinking hot chocolate again! ;)
DeleteYour room looks great! The yellow pillows bring in such a lovely pop of color against the white slipcovers!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, Manuela, everyone is commenting on the yellow fabric and that was the one I was unsure about...too yellow maybe? Apparently not! Thanks so much!
DeleteIsn't it amazing how much you can change up the feeling of a room with some pillows. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patty
Yes! I should have done it months ago! Thanks for popping by to take a peek at it, Patty!
DeleteYour room looks great and I love the wall color! The yellow pillow fabric is so cute! It looks bright and cheerful! (Sometimes I drink hot water too - when I'm feeling healthy - unlike today, with 2 cups of coffee under my belt! LOL) Julia
ReplyDeleteJules, I'm glad someone else understands my hot water craving, so many people make fun of me for it! Thanks for all the nice comments about the room and for coming over to check it out! :)
DeleteThat's a very pretty room. I don't think you are boring. I'm kind of like you...I take a long time to make decisions and stick with them for awhile. I drink hot water in the winter time too. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that hot water, Stacey! You're right, maybe I'm not boring, just committed! That sounds better! :)
DeleteYour room looks great - so much fun to change a bit from time to time :) Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla
ReplyDeleteI do like a change, Pernilla and when it's quick and cheap, it's even better! :)
DeleteDeliciously Inspired Visiting from Debbiedoo's Blitzen #9 - WOW! What a difference those pillows made - you've inspired me to try something like this with the pillows I have in my living room. Love for you to pop over for a visit to www.deliciouslyinspired.com From your new follower - Debbie
ReplyDeleteThanks! It really was a super quick makeover and now I have some lovely covers for next year, too! :) Thanks for checking it out and the follow!
DeleteIt was a gorgeous room to begin with but the pillow color change brightened it for the season! Love it. Denise made pillow covers from Pottery Barn placemats too! She found them in the sale bin. :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a lovely, colorful weekend!
Sharon and Denise
Thank you ladies! I love those placemats, my sister gave them to me as a hostess gift one Christmas. They were so pretty, I just hated putting them away every January. Now I get to look at them and love them all year long!
DeleteThis room looks so bright, clean, and inviting. Would love to sit down and enjoy a chat with you in it! Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Gail. I really do love that room...I always thought it was more of winter room, big stone fireplace and all, but those pillows really lightened it up! Come chat anytime! :) Thanks for popping by!
DeleteIt's gorgeous, I love it! The yellow pillow pops and the red & white one is bold and fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I was a little hesitant to add so much color, but I love the change.
DeleteI love the room! I would love for you to share and link up at my weekly TGIF Link Party if you haven't already this week. Your favorite posts, most popular, recent or new! The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday's at midnight. Followed by (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/.
ReplyDeleteI would be honored if you join us and follow to stay connected Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy
Came over from Pin It Monday! Love your thoughts on your site. Love the quick living room re-do. Amazing what a few bright pieces will do!
ReplyDeleteI really am loving the re-do, Scarlett- which is by the way, my favorite name of all time! Thanks for popping by!
DeleteThey look awesome Kim! And thanks so much for the link. I love your pretty white slipcovered couches too... those are my dream couches. Fabulous job on your pillows!!
ReplyDeleteKrista
Thanks Krista! I loved your tutorial, it really made the job so easy! :)
DeleteWhat a lovely, bright sun-shiney room! Thank you so much for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x
ReplyDeleteLight and cheery - perfect for summer! Thanks for linking up to Give Me the Goods!
ReplyDeleteRachel @ Maison de Pax